NIGHT [GXG] (BOOK 2)

Chapter 4

HADES

"OH, ANO NA?!" I yelled at them, my voice echoing through the dimly lit office. "Tutunganga na lang ba talaga kayo diyan?" I asked them, my gaze sweeping across their faces, each one etched with fear.

They all bowed their heads, trembling. "Boss, g-ginawa na po namin... ang makakaya namin, B-boss..." Capo Tres stammered, his voice barely a whisper. Another failed operation, the same group that had let me down.

"MGA PUTA!" I roared, slamming my fist on the table, making them flinch. "Pinagbigyan ko ang grupo niyo to compensate with that KAPALPAKAN, pero ano ganun ulit? The next time na papalpak ulit kayo, I won't hesitate to kill all of you and replace you with better recruits. The other three groups are doing well, tapos kayo-"

"Boss Hades," a voice interrupted me. I looked up to see Trevor, the new and youngest member of this pathetic bunch. He was in the same batch as my sister, at the same school.

"Ano?! What did I tell you about cutting me off when I'm speaking? Wala kang galang!" I slammed my hand on the table again, the sound echoing through the room.

He flinched but continued, "Can I speak to you in private? Boss?"

I studied him, my gaze piercing, then signaled the rest to leave.

"What is it about?" I asked when they were gone.

"It's about The Antonov," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

My ears perked up. "Go on."

"I found a way to lure one of them, ang anak ng current Boss na si Vodka."

I crossed my arms, my brow furrowed. "Sino sa dalawa?"

"Nyx Valor Antonov," he responded.

My eyebrows shot up. "How do you say so? Did you know that Vodka is very strict about the security of her children?" I moved closer, cupping his chin, my gaze intense. "Tell me, how?"

He froze, his eyes wide as I invaded his personal space. "Boss, I dated her, she's now my ex. Kaibigan din po siya ng nakababata niyong kapatid."

I stayed silent for a moment, my mind racing.  My sister is friends with one of them, how did I not see this coming? Well, of course, the owner is the Bituin family and one of them is the wife of Vodka. Isa pa, hindi alam ng kapatid ko ang mga kalaban ng pamilya namin. I don't want her to be involved in this family curse.

I turned my back on him, pouring myself a drink. I needed to think about this.

I returned my attention to him, my voice cold and calculating. "Listen here, Abalos. If you're able to bring her to me without her family knowing, I'll make you the new Capo Tres."

I saw how his expression brightened. "Will do, Boss."

"But you have to remember, don't lay a hand on her. Even if you had dated her, don't you fucking dare to touch her. She's mine to deal with, your only job is to deliver her to me. I will kill you if you have another motive than my orders. Do you understand?" I spoke with my authoritative voice.

"Noted, Boss." He said, nodding his head.

"Now, go." I commanded him.

I watched him leave, my mind buzzing with possibilities. Nyx Valor Antonov. One of the daughters of Vodka Dmitri Antonov, the current head of The Antonov. A prize worth more than anything I'd ever imagined.

And Trevor Abalos, the boy who had been in love with her, was my key.

***

"Oh, Ate. Napadalaw ka." Zenith hugged me, and I entered the house. The familiar scent of mahogany and old books filled my senses as I stepped inside. This is our family Mansion, but only Zenith has lived here since I stayed in the headquarters.

We settled on the sofa, and she ordered the maid to fetch me a drink. "How's your first week of college?"

"It's fine, buti na lang may naiwan pa akong kaibigan sa University." She answered.

"You didn't even introduce your friends to me," I pouted.

She chuckled, "My bad, actually my best friend, Nyx and her twin will be having their debut on Friday. She told me to invite you, or anyone that I would like to invite. Ipapakilala kita sa kanya."

Hmm...

"I'm sorry, lil sis, but I have other important business on that date," I said in an apologetic tone.

Vodka will recognize me, I don't want the war to start yet. I will begin with her daughter first and then deal with all of them after. It would be a game of chess, a game of strategy and deception. And I was confident that I would win this time, I'll make sure of it.

"Oh, okay. I'll tell Nyx that you're busy," she said, her voice a bit disappointed.

"Don't worry, lil sis. I'll make it up to you," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'll take you out for dinner next week."

She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Okay, Ate."

As I watched her, a wave of affection washed over me. My little sister. She was so innocent, so trusting, so oblivious to the darkness that surrounded her. I had to protect her, I had to keep her safe. She's not supposed to be friends with one of The Antonov, I have to do some to keep her away from them.

Based on the investigations my men had gathered, I've learned a lot about the Antonov family.  Besides Vodka being the Boss, the current Underboss is Vaughn, Vodka's first daughter. She recently graduated from college with a Psychology degree, following in the footsteps of her late mother.  Soon, she'll follow in Vodka's footsteps as well and become the future head of The Antonov.

They're known for being intersex, which is why some mobs view them as abominations. My fists clenched at the thought. Those fools, they don't understand the power that lies in difference. They're afraid of what they don't understand.

Meanwhile, my family doesn't discriminate.  We only fight for our own good and don't oppress people based on their sexual orientation or whatever they are. We're about power and survival here. We don't care about people's sexual orientation or their physical attributes. We only care about who's the strongest, who's the most ruthless, who's the most cunning.

And in that regard, the Antonovs were formidable. They were a family of powerful women, each one more dangerous than the last. They had built their empire on a foundation of blood and iron. I commend them for that.

BUT...

I am not afraid of them. I am Hades, and I am not afraid of anyone. I would overcome them.

"Ate! You're spacing out again, kanina pa kita tinatawag diyan." I was brought back to reality and looked at my sister. Her brow was furrowed with concern.

"Ah yeah, what was that?" I asked, trying to regain my composure.

"Ang sabi ko, kailan pala kayo ikakasal ni Ate Stella?" She asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Oh..." I paused, my mind still preoccupied with The Antonov. "Probably next year," I responded, unsure. My wedding was the last thing on my mind.

"Next year?" she repeated, her eyes widening. "That's so soon! Kailangan ko nang magplano, and what about the wedding dress? Did you pick one out yet?"

"Zenith, chill," I said, trying to calm her down.  "It's just a probable date, nothing is set in stone yet."

"But Ate!" she insisted. "It's your wedding!  You should be excited!"

I sighed. The thought of a wedding, of settling down felt foreign and unsettling.

"Zenith," I said, trying to sound convincing.  "I'm just... busy right now."

"Okay," she said, though I could sense her disappointment.  She knew I was holding back, that something was weighing on my mind.

And she was right. My mind was consumed by The Antonov, by the need for revenge, by the desire to bring them down.

I had to focus on my mission. I had to get to them, to break them and make them pay for what their family had done.

This was my life now, this was my purpose.